“GLAD is proud to take an active part in this history-making effort,” says Janson Wu, GLAD staff attorney. “We’re convinced that this year Rhode Island will join the other New England states in leading the nation toward marriage equality for all.”

Legislative leaders have committed to advancing the bill and grassroots supporters are already taking action across the state. A House Judiciary Committee hearing on the marriage equality bill, HB 5015, will take place tomorrow, Tuesday January 15, at 4:00 p.m. There, loving and committed same-sex couples will share their stories with legislators, and talk about why marriage matters deeply to them.

In 2004, Massachusetts became the first state where same-sex couples could marry, the result of GLAD’s historic lawsuit, Goodridge v. Department of Public Health. GLAD also brought the lawsuit (Kerrigan v. Department of Public Health) that brought marriage equality to Connecticut, and was involved in the legislative and ballot efforts in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine, now all places where same-sex couples can marry.

“It’s time for Rhode Island’s elected officials to step up for their constituents,” says Wu. “Loving same-sex couples all over the state, some together for decades, some raising children, need and deserve the protections and the respect of marriage.”